With the support of staff, students in the School Support Program (SSP) class at Clara Hughes Public School are learning a few new skills by owning and operating the school's first coffee cart.
Clara Hughes PS students and staff at Melly's Café
Beginning November 5th, students will take the cart to each classroom before recess offering staff the opportunity to purchase an assortment of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and baked goods.
The idea for the coffee cart, aptly named The Daily Drip', came from a fusion of ideas from School Support Program Teacher Osmyn Reid and Principal Clint Killeen.
"I've always had a fondness for visiting new coffee shops and Melly's Workplace, Café and Marketplace is among my favourites. The second idea was from Ms. Reid's experience at Bobby Orr PS when she taught in a Practical Learning Program class, where a similar program is run. Our desire with offering this program at Clara Hughes PS is to be able to create a meaningful, relevant, hands-on learning experience for our students," says Principal Killeen.
Melly's Café staff members Douglas and Destiny
As part of their preparation, the class took a trip to Melly's Cafe in Whitby to get a behind-the-scenes look at running a café business. The staff at Melly's Cafe warmly welcomed the class and took them through each step of their daily work routine including serving customers, making drinks, baking pastries, and operating the dishwasher and laundry machines.
Destiny, a Melly's Café staff member, shared that it is important to raise the expectations of people with disabilities within the community. Douglas, another staff member adds, "We want young people to see we're independent and working hard. We also want them to see the friendships we've made with people that have similar disabilities. These friendships last a lifetime."
Melly's Café staff with students and staff from Clara Hughes PS
Sylis, a Grade 5 student at Clara Hughes PS, is eager to apply what he's learned at Melly's Café to The Daily Drip. "My favourite drink is the hot chocolate. I can't wait to make that and sell it at school," says Sylis. He also wishes he could replay the trip to Melly's Cafe over and over again.
Ms. Reid and Principal Killeen say they hope that with the experience at Melly's Cafe, students will take away a deeper understanding of work-life dynamics in real-world settings and that it provides inspiration for them as they consider future vocations for themselves.
Ms. Reid says, "As educators, we believe it's essential for our students to see themselves represented in community spaces, and Melly's Café provided that opportunity for our exceptional students. The visit to Melly's Café was intended to reinforce to our students that they belong and that they can contribute in many meaningful ways in their communities."
Staff and Students at Clara Hughes PS wearing their custom aprons ready to serve goodies from The Daily Drip coffee cart
The Daily Drip ties directly into the school's SSP class learning objectives by teaching students' valuable life skills, from customer service to managing small business tasks.
Profit generated from the business venture will go towards an exciting end-of-year trip, to be determined.
